Anfield Hoodoo Continues for Arsenal After Szoboszlai Magic

Arsenal set the tone for their trip to Liverpool with a bold social media message urging them to “make a statement.” Instead, it was the champions who underlined their credentials, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning 83rd-minute free-kick sealing victory in a match that never truly sparked into life, Sport360NG reports.

The clash had been billed as a heavyweight contest between the reigning title holders and the side most likely to challenge them. Yet Arsenal’s cautious approach suggested Mikel Arteta was content to settle for a point, a plan undone in the closing stages when Szoboszlai bent a superb effort beyond David Raya from 30 yards.

Liverpool’s win means they remain perfect with nine points from their opening three games, even without hitting last season’s heights. For Arsenal, however, this was another missed opportunity at Anfield, where they have not tasted league victory since 2012. That run now stretches to 13 games without a win, eight of them defeats.

Arteta’s summer backing in the transfer market has raised expectations. More than £240m has been spent, highlighted by the £64m arrival of striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting and the eye-catching £60m swoop for Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. With that investment comes pressure, particularly to end a five-year wait for silverware in the Premier League or Champions League.

Injuries did not help. Bukayo Saka was absent, captain Martin Ødegaard was fit only for the bench, and defender William Saliba lasted just five minutes before going off. Even so, Arsenal rarely unsettled a Liverpool back line that had looked vulnerable in earlier matches against Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Eze was introduced only for the final 20 minutes, showing glimpses of what he could offer but too late to shift the contest. Instead, Arteta relied on the safer option of Mikel Merino in the No. 10 role, and Arsenal’s new striker Gyökeres was largely subdued by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.

Afterwards, Arteta insisted there were positives. “These matches are decided by mistakes or moments of brilliance,” he said. “You cannot dominate here for 90 minutes. We have to find a way to win these games, and that means taking our chances when they come. We were better than last year, much better, but you must score if you want to win.”

The manager argued Liverpool “suffered” against his team, though in truth the hosts were comfortable until forced to defend late on. Arsenal’s urgency only appeared once they fell behind, by which point it was too late.

Liverpool were far from their fluent best, but their ability to grind out results adds to the sense of inevitability surrounding them. Arsenal, meanwhile, must reflect on another afternoon when restraint cost them. The wait for an Anfield breakthrough continues, a wait stretching back to the days when Arteta himself was in the Arsenal midfield.